guyed towers installation manual 030916.pdf

IsoTruss Structures, Inc. 2003 030915

Installation Manual for

IsoTruss Guyed Wire Towers

IsoTruss Structures, Inc. 1080 North Main Street

Suite One Brigham City, UT 84302 USA

Voice: 435.695.2000 Fax: 435.921.0303

Email: [email protected] www.isotruss.com


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To our valued customer- We appreciate and thank you for purchasing an IsoTruss guyed tower. IsoTruss structures are unprecedented in their combination of strength, weight, and value. We hope this purchase will fulfill your needs and serve you for years to come. Should you need any assistance, feel free to contact us at [email protected]. When preparing this manual, the following was our motto: OUR GOAL IS TO HELP REDUCE OUR CUSTOMERS MANPOWER ERECTION COSTS AND THE TIME NEEDED TO ERECT OUR TOWERS. YOUR SUGGESTIONS ON ANY TECHNIQUES, AIDING EQUIPMENT, OR TOOLS WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. PLEASE EMAIL THEM TO [email protected]. SHOULD WE USE YOUR SUGGESTIONS IN OUR MANUAL, WE WILL SEND YOU A GIFT OF THANKS. Once again, thanks for your business. Sincerely, The IsoTruss Team!


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NOTICES AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS:

WARNING! - Caution! IF THIS TOWER COMES NEAR ELECTRIC POWER LINES OR OTHER POWER/ELECTRICAL SHOCKING SOURCES, YOU COULD BE. . .

SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED!!! PLEASE LOOK UP AND AROUND YOUR TOWER ERECTING AREA PRIOR TO AND DURING TOWER INSTALLATION/ERECTION AND TAKE DOWN!


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Please read the following before erecting the tower.

1. READ INSTRUCTIONS: All notices, safety instructions, and installation instructions should be read

and understood before tower erection. If you have any questions about notices, safety instructions, or tower

installation, please call 435-695-2000 prior to tower erection.

2. KEEP INSTRUCTIONS: The safety and installation instructions should be retained for future

reference.

3. UNDERSTAND AND HEED ALL WARNINGS: All warnings on the tower, on the base plate assembly, and in this installation

manual should be understood and followed. Guyed towers are not self-supporting. IsoTruss towers are not designed to

be scaled or climbed. Do not climb this tower. This tower should be installed by a tower installation professional.

4. MOUNTED EQUIPMENT:

Do not exceed the mounting weights or surface panel area limits for the

tower you purchased. Failure to do so will void your warranty.

5. GROUNDING

WARNING: THE LOCATION OF YOUR TOWER MAY REQUIRE PROPER GROUNDING OR A PASSIVE POINT DISCHARGE SYSTEM. DO NOT INSTALL A TOWER THAT HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY PROTECTED. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DETERMINE THE NECESSITY AND PROPER


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INSTALLATION OF A LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM. YOUR SALES REPRESENTATIVE CAN HELP YOU SOURCE AN APPROPRIATE SYSTEM.

The threat of damage to your tower and equipment during lightning can be very high. It is important to do adequate testing to ensure that the tower is installed in an appropriate location and is properly protected to minimize the damage from a lightning strike.

6. WEATHER:

WARNING: INSTALLATION OF AN ISOTRUSS TOWER DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER MAY LEAD TO INJURY OR DEATH. PLEASE USE CAUTION! Do not install IsoTruss towers during storms or the following weather

conditions: o When lightning is in the area o Rain, snow, or ice storms

7. MANPOWER:

For ease of installation, the following table lists the recommended crew size

based upon tower height:

TOWER HEIGHT MANPOWER

16m (54') 4

33m (107') 5

60m (197') 5

82m (269') 6

104m (341') 7


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8. TOWER KIT: Each tower comes with the necessary components to assemble the tower sections together. Look in your tower shipment invoice to confirm its contents. 9. ADDITIONAL ITEMS YOU MAY NEED: For the erection process, you should have the following tools on hand:

o Carpenters Level o Gin Pole o Winch o Blocks to support the tower o Nut drivers

o OPTIONAL

Shovel Mechanical anchor driver Plumb bob


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THE ISOTRUSS TOWER - STEP BY STEP: The IsoTruss Tower is assembled and erected through the following step by step process:

STEP 1. Read the manual STEP 2. Lay out the erection site STEP 3. Assemble and position the base plate STEP 4. Position and secure the ground anchors STEP 5. Assemble and attach the tower sections STEP 6. Attach the support wires, also known as guyed wires STEP 7. Assemble and position the gin pole and winch STEP 8. Test-lift the tower STEP 9. Attach mounting brackets and equipment STEP 10. Fully erect the tower STEP 11. Perform periodical inspection and maintenance STEP 12. Take down and removal of an IsoTruss tower

STEP 1. READ THE MANUAL: Thoroughly read through and understand this manual before erecting the tower. STEP 2. LAY OUT THE ERECTION SITE: Lay out the proper locations for the tower base plate, guy anchors, and winch anchor. For ease of reference and erection, decals have been placed on the base plate at the 12, 3, 6, and 9 oclock positions. The erection layout should point the tower downwind, or the 12 oclock position, allowing the tower to be lifted into the wind. NOTE: An IsoTruss tower can be erected on a slope up to 12 degrees. Wind conditions should be favored over slope conditions. When laying out the erection site on a slope, mark the spots for the anchors at the same locations as you would on a flat surface. It is not necessary to compensate for the slope. The supplied guy wires are cut long enough to allow installation on slopes up to 12 degrees.


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NOTE: The side guy anchors and base plate should be in a straight line with each other. If the anchors can not be installed in a straight line at the preferred location, the anchor can be moved up to, but not more than, 1.5m (5 feet) off this line. If the anchors are installed on a slope, are not perpendicular to the tower, or are not in a straight line with the base plate and opposite side anchors, extra care must be taken when erecting the tower. STEP 3. ASSEMBLE AND POSITION THE BASE PLATE: The base plate permits pivoting of the tower and, when combined with the attached side guy wires, provides lateral support while the tower is being tilted up. The IsoTruss base plate cannot be installed on a slope greater than 12 degrees.

The base plate is packaged in a kit and takes approximately 25 minutes to assemble.

Specific assembly instructions are attached to the base plate kit. Check for nearby electric power lines or other potential electric shocking

equipments when selecting a location for the base plate.

a. Assemble the base plate according to the instructions supplied with the base plate.


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b. Align the base plate so the 12 oclock position faces downwind, or is pointing in the direction of the wind. If you are on a slope, the 12 oclock position should point uphill. Though, you should always favor wind conditions over slope.

c. If the soil surface is soft, it may be necessary to set the base plate on concrete, planks, or other suitable material to spread the load.

d. Secure the base plate by driving the 2 supplied 4 ground rods through the holes in the base plate. If the ground rods are not sufficiently seated in the soil, it may be necessary to drive additional ground rods. During erection, the base plate is subjected to considerable force and must be firmly secured to prevent shifting.

STEP 4. POSITION AND SECURE THE GROUND ANCHORS: Before the tower is ordered, the soil type at the erection site should be determined and the correct anchors selected. Anchor type should also take into account maximum winds, icing, or other weather conditions the tower will be subjected to. In addition, there may be certain safety and legal requirements for anchoring the tower. Though the tower installation kit is supplied with screw type anchors, these anchors may not be appropriate for the specific erection site. The customer is responsible for determining anchor requirements.

a. Place the anchors at their respective 12, 3, 6, and 9 oclock positions from the base plate. Use Table 1 to identify the proper distance of the anchors from the base plate. If your tower has multiple levels of guy wire connections, the distance for the anchors at each level is shown.

b. If the erection site requires different anchors than those supplied in the tower kit, refer to the installation instructions supplied with the anchors.

c. Once the proper location is identified for each anchor, screw the anchors clockwise into the ground. A sturdy bar in the eye of the anchor, or a mechanical anchor driver supplied by IsoTruss can be used to screw the anchor into the ground.

d. Continue screwing the anchor until the eye of the anchor rod is 150mm (6) above the ground.

NOTE: Guy wire anchors must be screwed in-line with the guy wire and the tower. Therefore, the eye of the anchor will be closer to the base of the tower than the


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helix of the anchor. The angle of the guy wire should continue directly in-line with the anchor. The anchor should continue into the ground in a straight line from the guy wire. Ensure that all anchors are inserted at the proper angles.

e. Ideally, anchors should be directly opposite each other from the base plate. If you encounter impenetrable rocks or other hindrances in the soil, the anchor can be placed up to 1.5m (5) away from its ideal position. Do not place the anchor further away than this distance.


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TABLE 1 Anchor Distance from Tower Center

Guy

Wire

Atta

chm

ent P

oint

(ft)

Leve

l 1 A

ncho

r Dis

tanc

e (ft

)

Guy

Wire

Siz

e (in

)

Leve

l 2 A

ncho

r Dis

tanc

e (ft

)

Guy

Wire

Siz

e (in

)

Leve

l 3 A

ncho

r Dis

tanc

e (ft

)

Guy

Wire

Siz

e (in

)

16M tower

1/2" ice 35.8 40 3/16

53.7 40 3/16 33M tower

1/2" ice 35.8 70 3/16

71.6 70 3/16 89.5 80 3/16 107.5 80 3/16

60M tower no ice 54 166 3/16

107 166 3/16 161 166 3/16 197 166 3/16

1/2" ice 35.8 125 3/16

71.6 125 3/16 107 125 3/16 143 166 3/16 179 166 3/16 197 171 1/4

82M tower no ice 35.8 125 3/16

71.6 125 3/16 107 125 3/16 143 166 3/16 179 166 3/16 215 166 3/16 251 187 3/16 269 187 1/4 3/8" & 35.8 125 3/16

1/2" ice 71.6 125 3/16

107 125 1/4 143 166 1/4 179 166 1/4 215 166 1/4 251 187 1/4 269 187 1/4


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Example: 82M Tower


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STEP 5. ASSEMBLE AND ATTACH THE TOWER SECTIONS: a. Lay tower sections end-to-end. Because of the IsoTruss tower design, there

is no top or bottom of each tower section. Either end of the sections can be used at the bottom and top connections.

b. Join tower sections with the supplied connectors. c. Follow the step-by-step installation instructions supplied with the

connectors. d. Ensure that the connectors are properly installed and tensioned. e. Bolt the bottom tower section to the base plate. Use the supplied

connectors to bolt the tower to the base plate. NOTE: Ensure all connectors are tensioned to proper torque specifications as contained in the instructions supplied with the connectors. Over tightening can damage the tower. Improper installation and torque on the connectors will void all warranties. STEP 6. ATTACH THE GUY WIRES: Your tower erecting kit comes with wires pre-cut and coded for ease of

installation. All guy wires are 10% longer than necessary to allow the tower to be

installed on uneven ground. At this time, only the guy wires which connect at the 3 oclock and 9 oclock

positions of the base plate should be attached to their anchors. a. Carefully roll out each spool of guy wire from the tower attachment point to

its respective anchor. Take care not to twist or kink the wires. Twisted and/or kinked wire may fail under load. To prevent kinking or problems, ensure that the guy wires are fully unwound from their spools before erecting the tower.

b. Line up each set of guy wires with their respective attachment points on the tower. Each level of attachment on the tower results in different lengths of guy wires. The shorter the guy wire, the lower it attaches to the tower. The guy wires with mid-wire gin pole attachment loops must be attached to the 6 oclock side of the tower.


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c. Once the guy wires are laid out, slide three rope clips onto the end of the wire which will attach to the tower. The forged, or saddled, part of the rope clip should be slid onto the guy wire. Loop the wire through the eye of the tower connectors and around the provided thimble. Refer to the image below for proper attachment of the rope clips.

NOTE: The saddled part of the clip rests on the live end of the wire. The U-Bolt part of the clip wraps around the dead end of the wire. Always tighten the nuts on the rope clip evenly, alternating from one side to the other. Each end of the guy wire will have three (3) rope clips. The rope clips should be spaced evenly from each other. In addition, the rope clip nearest the thimble should be tightened as near to the thimble as possible. Refer to the table below for rope turn back lengths and proper torque. Torque values shown are based on the threads being clean, dry, and free of lubrication.

Wire Rope Size Rope Turn Back Length Torque in Ft. Lbs. 4.76mm (3/16") 143mm (5.63") 7.5 6.35mm (1/4") 181mm (7.13") 15

d. At the anchor end of all guy wires, slide three wire rope clips. At this point,

only the guy wires at the 3 oclock and 9 oclock positions will be attached to their respective anchors.

e. Run the guy wire through the anchor eye. Do not allow the rope clips to go through the anchor eye. Loop the wire around the provided thimble and double the wire back.

f. Slide the doubled back wire through the u-bolt part of the rope clip. Leave a little slack in the guy wires and snug up the rope clip nearest the anchor. Do not over tighten the rope clip, because you will need to loosen and adjust


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the clips as the tower is erected. Leave the other two rope clips loose until the tower is fully erected.

g. Throughout the tower erection process, the tension in the guy wires will fluctuate. As a result, tension must be checked and the guy wires must be adjusted accordingly as the tower is erected.

STEP 7. ASSEMBLE AND POSITION THE GIN POLE AND WINCH:

You will use Table 2 throughout the tower erection process:

TABLE 2

Recommended Winch, Anchor, Gin Pole Capacity Equipment Min. Gin Min. # Winch Weight at Winch Pole Lifting Distance Top Capacity Length Guys from Tower (kg/lbs) (kg/lbs) (M/ft) Base Plate 16M 22/50 1041/2296 3/10 1 2.7/9 45/100 1041/2296 3/10 1 2.7/9 113/250 1041/2296 3/10 1 2.7/9 226/500 1041/2296 3/10 1 2.7/9 33M 22/50 1041/2296 3/10 1 2.7/9 45/100 1514/3339 3/10 1 2.7/9 113/250 1425/3142 6/20 1 5.8/19 226/500 2575/5676 6/20 2 5.8/19 60M 22/50 1349/2974 6/20 2 5.8/19 45/100 1771/3904 6/20 2 5.8/19 113/250 2006/4421 9/30 2 8.8/29 226/500 2538/5594 12/40 2 11.9/39 82M 22/50 1803/3975 9/30 3 8.8/29 45/100 2224/4902 9/30 3 8.8/29 113/250 2514/5543 12/40 3 11.9/39 226/500 3110/6857 15/50 3 14.9/49 104M 22/50 2764/6094 9/30 4 8.8/29 45/100 2423/5342 12/40 4 11.9/39 113/250 2793/6157 15/50 4 14.9/49 226/500 3515/7748 18/60 4 18/59


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WINCH SETUP: The winch anchor must be placed directly in-line, opposite the tower. Use Table 2 to determine the length the winch anchor should be from the

base plate. The winch should be .3M (1 ft.) shorter than the gin pole length. These distances should be followed to prevent the gin pole from separating during the erection process.

Ensure that the winch being used is capable of supporting the necessary weight. Minimum winch capacities are found in Table 2.

NOTE: Serious damage, injury, or death may occur if the minimum winch capacities are not followed. It is important to follow these minimum specifications to prevent


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problems throughout the erection process. Lifting a tower with an inadequate winch will void any and all warranties.

a. Screw the winch anchor into the ground, according to the distances

indicated in Table 2. b. Screw an additional anchor next to the winch anchor. This anchor will be

used to attach the dead end of the winch cable. c. Attach the winch to the anchor and ensure that the connections are secure.

GIN POLE SETUP:

To avoid injury or damage to the tower, you must securely attach the gin pole safety wire. The safety wire slides through the middle of the gin pole. The bolt which secures the gin pole to the base plate also goes through the eye of the safety wire. This safety wire prevents the gin pole from separating in the erection process. Use Table 2 to determine the required length for the gin pole. Note that the tower height and weight on the tower influences how long the gin pole should be. Confirm that the gin pole is the proper length before erecting the tower.


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a. Assemble the gin pole with the appropriate number of sections, per Table 2. b. Slide the safety wire through the gin pole towards the base. As each

section of the gin pole is connected, thread the safety wire through. c. Connect the gin pole to the base plate with the supplied bolt. Ensure that

the bolt goes through the eye of the safety wire in the gin pole. Additionally, the side of the gin pole with multiple connectors should point towards the tower, or the 12 oclock position. These multiple connections will be used to attach the guy wires and lift the tower.


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d. Once the gin pole is secured to the base plate, anchor the gin pole guy wires. The gin pole guy wires are necessary to prevent the gin pole from swaying and possibly failing during erection.

e. Run the winch cable through the pulley at the top of the gin pole. The winch should attach to the 6 oclock side of the gin pole. Continue running the winch cable through the pulley and secure the dead-end of the winch cable to a secured ground anchor next to the winch anchor.

f. Attach the 6 oclock position tower guy wires to the multiple connectors at the top of the gin pole. When attaching the guy wires, keep them untangled and straight. Use Table 1 to determine the number of guy wires that should be attached to the gin pole for erection. You will find loops in the guy wires for attachment to the gin pole.

g. When attaching the guy wires, start at the uppermost, or tallest guy wire on the tower, and work down. Never attach a guy wire to the gin pole unless it is looped for attachment to the gin pole.

h. Note that for different equipment weights on the tower, different numbers of guy wires are required. Attach the appropriate number of guy wires.


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STEP 8. TEST-LIFT THE TOWER

a. Before attaching measuring devices/equipment to the tower, test-lift the tower to ensure there are no tangles or obstructions. Lift the top end of the tower approximately 3m (10) off the ground to confirm solid connections between the various tower components.

b. Recheck the path of erection on either side of the tower to ensure that electrical transmission lines or other shocking electrical devices will not come in contact with the tower.

c. Check the tension on the side guy wires to ensure that the tower will not tip/tilt significantly to either side while going up.

d. Confirm that the tower connector joints are properly installed and secure. e. Prepare blocks upon which to place the tower. These can be any type of

support that would elevate the tower but not damage the tower surface. f. Once the test-lift is completed, lower the tower onto prepared support

blocks placed every 6m (20) and fasten the necessary equipment. STEP 9. ATTACH MOUNTING BRACKETS AND EQUIPMENT: Confirm that the tower is securely set on the support blocks before

mounting and installing your equipment. An improperly supported tower may fall causing damage to the tower, or possibly harm or death to those around it.


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WARNING: ISOTRUSS TOWERS ARE NOT DESIGNED TO BE SCALED OR CLIMBED. DO NOT CLIMB THIS TOWER FOR ANY REASON!! IF YOU NEED TO SERVICE THE TOWER OR EQUIPMENT, YOU MUST LOWER THE TOWER AND SERVICE IT FROM THE GROUND. CLIMBING THE TOWER COULD CAUSE FAILURE OF THE STRUCTURE AND COULD TEAR OUT GROUND ANCHORS. IF SCALED, AN ISOTRUSS TOWER MAY COLLAPSE, CAUSING HARM OR DEATH!!

a. Install the mounting brackets onto the tower according to the instructions

supplied with the brackets. b. Connect your equipment, sensors, antennas, etc. to these mounting brackets

only. Do not attach equipment directly to the composite lattice structure of the IsoTruss tower. Doing so will void your warranty.

c. Ensure the equipment is installed according to the manufacturers specifications and requirements. IsoTruss is not responsible for equipment that is damaged or destroyed on its towers.

d. Cables from the attached equipment can be either tied to a longitudinal of the IsoTruss tower, or dropped down the open center.

NOTE: Free-hanging cables may whip in higher winds, causing damage to the cables or surrounding objects. It may be best to secure the cables to the tower. STEP 10. FULLY ERECT THE TOWER:

WARNING: CONFIRM THAT THERE ARE NO ELECTRICAL LINES OR HIGH-VOLTAGE DEVICES WITH WHICH THE TOWER COULD COME IN CONTACT. GUYED TOWERS ARE NOT SELF-SUPPORTING. HENCE, ISOTRUSS TOWERS


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SHOULD NEVER BE SCALED OR CLIMBED. NEVER CLIMB AN ISOTRUSS TOWER. The erection crew team leader should confirm that each member of the

erection crew understands their respective responsibilities and duties. Make sure the individuals attending the side guy wires are familiar with and

can skillfully let out or take in side guy wires. Use the recommended manpower to erect the tower. TOWER ERECTION:

As the tower is erected, concise, clear communication between members of

the lifting team is necessary. Closely watch the guy wire tension as the tower is erected. Stop the winch

and adjust the wires as necessary. The greatest requirement for power is the initial raising of the tower. As

the tower is rises, the amount of power required greatly reduces. Use a plumb bob to gauge the straightness of the tower as it is erected.

Hold the plumb bob while standing at the winch, looking towards the top of the tower, to check tower straightness. Adjust the guy lines as necessary to keep the tower straight.

a. When lifting a 16M tower, there should be one person at each outermost

anchor. For the 33M and 60M towers, the same should be followed, with one extra person providing help where needed. For the 82M tower, there should be two people at the 3 and 9 oclock positions of the outermost anchors and one person at the 12 and 6 oclock positions. For the 104M tower, the same team positioning as the 82M should be followed, except one additional person should be placed at the 12 oclock anchor.

b. Tilt the tower approximately 15 at a time. Lifting should be slow and steady. At each 15 increment, stop the winch and adjust the tension in the side guy wires. If necessary, the tension may be adjusted more frequently. Never adjust the tension while the winch is activated and moving. Fast uneven movements tend to cause the tower to shake and swing.

c. As the tower is lifted, maintain sufficient tension in the side guy wires at the 3 and 9 oclock positions to prevent the tower from swaying during erection. Additionally, make sure that the base plate is firmly in place and does not move during erection.


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d. At each 15 increment, adjust the guy wires as necessary. The guy wires should have enough tension to allow for a little sag. The guy wires should not sag more than 1m (3) during the erection process.

e. When the tower is about 45 degrees to the ground, attach the guy wires opposite the winch side, or the 12 oclock position, to their appropriate ground anchors.

f. After the 12 oclock position guy wires are attached opposite of the winch, a tower erecting crew member needs to maintain constant tension on that side of the tower. For safety, keep the crew member out from underneath the tower by attaching a rope around the wire and applying tension by hand out from beneath the tower. Allow the winch to pull against the tension produced by the crew member. At this point, it will require little power for the winch to continue lifting the tower.

g. Once the top of the tower is fully erect, attach the remaining 6 oclock

position guy wires on the winch side to their respective anchors. To do this, detach one guy wire at a time from the gin pole and attach it to the anchor. You should attach the highest guy wire first and work down towards the lowest level guy wire. Constantly monitor tension at all anchor points to prevent the tower from setting up crooked.


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h. The guy wires should sag about 0.6m (2) at the center. Use a carpenters

level to set the tower perfectly vertical. i. Once proper tension is set and the tower is vertical, tighten the remaining

wire rope clips on the guy wires. Tension in the guy wires can be performed by hand. It is not necessary to mechanically increase tension beyond the tension created from pulling the guy wire by hand. If the guy wire is straight, without any sag, there is too much tension in the wire.

NOTE: Too much sag on side guy wires could cause the tower to buckle in the opposite direction. On the other hand, too much tension can cause the guy wires, tower, or anchors to fail. If there is no visible sag in the guy wires, there is too much tension.


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STEP 11. PERFORM PERIODICAL INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE

Over time, the tower and anchors will settle into the ground. About two weeks after erection, check the tower, guy wires, anchors, and base plate to ensure that proper tension continues and that no anchors have pulled out of the ground.

The tower should be inspected semi-annually to ensure that it is in proper working order, that all guys are properly tensioned, and that all anchors are properly seated in the ground.

STEP 12. TAKE DOWN AND REMOVAL OF AN ISOTRUSS TOWER Throughout the life of the tower, it may be necessary to lower it to perform

maintenance on equipment, or to make changes. In order to perform such maintenance, the tower must be lowered. Do not climb the tower to work on the attached equipment. A moving load on a guyed tower behaves very differently than a deadweight load.

A tower that has been erected and in service may have shifted over time. When taking down a tower, be careful to observe any indications of movement, shifting, or settling that may have occurred. Compensate accordingly.

As a tower is lowered, the tension in the guy wires will fluctuate. As a result, tension must be checked and the guy wires must be adjusted as necessary throughout the lowering process.

Lowering an IsoTruss tower is the opposite of raising it. The following steps should be followed:

STEP 1. Assemble and position gin pole and winch STEP 2. Attach the guy wires to the gin pole STEP 3. Lower the tower STEP 4. Disassemble all tower components

Before lowering an IsoTruss tower, confirm that the tower is clear from

falling on any power lines, electric devices, or electrical shocking equipment.

a. Prepare and place tower support blocks down the 12 oclock direction of the base plate. These blocks will support the tower when it is laid on its side and


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allow the necessary maintenance to be performed. In addition, they will prevent damage to the equipment.

b. Follow Step 7 to secure the gin pole to the base plate and winch. The gin pole should be horizontal. Use Table 2 to determine the proper length of the gin pole and winch location. Secure the winch with a winch anchor and ensure that the gin pole is properly connected.

c. Once the gin pole is in place, consecutively transfer the guy wires at the 6 oclock position with gin wire attachment loops from their ground anchors to the gin pole. Begin at the lowest, or innermost guy wire, and work your way up. Continue until half the guy wires are attached. Once the lower half guy wires are connected, begin transferring the outermost, or highest, guy wires with gin pole attachment loops to the gin pole. Once again, working your way down the tower. Continue this process until all the guy wires at the 6 oclock position are attached to the gin pole.

d. When transferring wires to the gin pole, maintain proper tension on the gin pole with the winch cable. If the gin pole is not properly secured to the winch, the tower may fall.

e. Tension needs to be applied to the guy wires in the 12 oclock position in order to pull the tower down and away from the winch. To prevent injury or death, ensure that no one is underneath the tower as it is lowered. Loosen the top guy wire at the 12 oclock position and tie a rope around it. Position a crew member on the rope to pull and tension that side of the tower. This tension will pull the tower away from the winch.

f. As the tower is lowered, the tension on the side guy wires will vary. As necessary, stop the lowering of the tower and tighten the guy wires.

g. Continue to lower the tower to a 45 angle. At this point, it is no longer necessary to apply tension on the guy wires opposite the winch. Check the side guy wires and confirm they are properly tensioned.

h. Continue lowering the tower, knowing that as the tower nears the ground, the winch is subjected to increasing pressure and force.

i. Lower the tower onto previously placed blocks and perform the necessary maintenance or upgrades to the equipment.

j. If the tower is being removed, disassemble the parts.


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ONCE AGAIN, OUR GOAL IS TO HELP REDUCE YOUR MANPOWER ERECTION COSTS AND THE TIME NEEDED TO ERECT OUR TOWERS. YOUR SUGGESTIONS ON ANY TECHNIQUES, AIDING EQUIPMENT, OR TOOLS WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. PLEASE EMAIL THEM TO [email protected] SHOULD WE USE YOUR SUGGESTION IN OUR MANUAL, WE WILL SEND YOU A GIFT OF THANKS.


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Disclaimer: Statements in this manual may not represent the best or only methods for installing a tower. These instructions are subject to change. IsoTruss is not undertaking any obligation to release publicly any updates to any manuals to reflect events, updates, or circumstances after the date of this manual or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated changes. IsoTruss is not responsible for negligence on the part of the user. In no way does this manual represent a contract, agreement, guarantee, or warranty between IsoTruss Structures, Inc, and the customer. Though, not following the steps and instructions contained in this manual may void your warranty.

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